Today Ontario’s Independent Electricity System Operator announced that it has offered 16 Large Renewable Procurement contracts to successful proponents. The 16 contracts offered represent over 450 megawatts (MW) of renewable energy capacity, enough to power 100,000 Canadian homes. The contracts include:

5 wind contracts totalling 299.5 MW,

7 solar contracts totalling 139.885 MW, and

4 hydroelectric contracts totalling 15.5 MW.

QUOTES

“With more than 100 companies vying for renewable energy contracts, it’s clear there is strong interest in investing in renewable power in Ontario. The contracts offered today will not only help Ontario achieve its renewable energy targets, but will continue to support growth in the renewable energy sector.

“Ontario’s leadership in phasing out coal-fired power and increasing its use of renewable power should be celebrated—it delivers economic development and jobs, cleaner air and less carbon pollution. It’s both a powerful symbol and great progress to see a contract offered for a solar farm that will be built on the land once occupied by the Nanticoke coal-fired power plant, once Canada’s top greenhouse gas polluter.

“Homegrown renewable energy companies are also leveraging their growth in Ontario to successfully launch into the global marketplace. For example, SkyPower Global was able to grow-up in Ontario—and will continue to grow thanks to a successful contract bid in this procurement—and is now securing contracts in the Middle East, Africa and Southeast Asia.

“In addition to supporting growth at home, it’s essential that the Ontario government continue to seek out new markets as Premier Wynne recently did with her trade mission to India. India is seeking to deliver 100 GW of solar capacity and 60 GW of wind by 2022, making it a giant market for clean-energy companies. Canadian companies need to access markets like India if they are to continue to grow and succeed.”

KEY FACTS

In 2014, Ontario welcomed more than half of the nation’s clean-energy investment, with $4.5 billion of investment (Source: Clean Energy Canada)

Between 2010 and 2014, $12.7 billion was invested in renewable power in Ontario (Source: Clean Energy Canada)

Ontario is home to numerous renewable energy companies—including AMP Solar Group, SkyPower Global and Canadian Solar—that develop projects and manufacture clean energy equipment both in Ontario and around the world (Source: Clean Energy Canada)